Published 5:10 pm, Thursday, April 11, 2013

Midland's DeAndre Goodley participates in the long jump event during the Tall City Relays on Friday at Memorial Stadium. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Midland's DeAndre Goodley participates in the long jump event during the Tall City Relays on Friday at Memorial Stadium. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

2-5A TRACK MEET: Lee's McAfee makes presence felt in San Angelo

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SAN ANGELO -- Jason McAfee officially returned to the track Thursday and everyone took notice.

Not only did McAfee win the boys long jump at the District 2-5A Track & Field Championships on Thursday at Angelo State University's LeGrand Sports Complex, he also ran the fastest qualifying time in the 100 meters. Not bad considering he's competing in just his second track meet this season after spending a majority of the spring sports season playing for the Rebels soccer team.

"I'm a little bit tired, feel out of shape," McAfee ssaid. "I haven't been at any track meets cause I've been in soccer. I'm feeling pretty confident, though, after placing in the long jump and doing good in my heat in the 100."

McAfee's presence on the track was a pleasant sight for most Midlanders, not just his teammates and coaches at Lee.

"I was glad to see him out here," Midland High junior DeAndre Goodley said. "I've been wanting to run against him all year."

Goodley was just behind McAfee in both the long jump and 100 meters Thursday. While McAfee finished second in the long jump with a mark of 21 feet, 4 1/2 inches, Goodley was right behind him in third at 21 feet, 3 1/4 inches. Both athletes qualified for the area meet in El Paso next weekend as did Midland High's Mazelle Justice, who cleared 20 feet, 8 1/2 inches for fourth place.

Goodley wasn't far behind McAfee in the 100, either. McAfee had the top qualifying time at 11.00 with Goodley posting the second best mark at 11.04. As a result, Goodley will get exactly what he wished for with McAfee lining up in Lane 4 and Goodley being placed in Lane 5.

"That's the race I've been waiting for," Goodley said. "He had a big impact last year so I want a shot at him. He's the big name in Midland right now. He's someone who I can compete against and who will push me."

McAfee says he's honored to have athletes from Midland providing some of his toughest competition even if they happen to be Bulldogs.

"As long as they're from Midland, then I'm pulling for them," McAfee said. "What matters to me is if I can't get to the finals then I hope it's them so someone can represent Midland."

Goodley and McAfee only need to look to their right in Lane 6 where Lee sophomore Terry Sims will take his mark. Sims has burst onto the scene as one of the fastest athletes in 2-5A this season and ran the fourth best qualifying time in the preliminaries Thursday at 11.16.

"I've gotten used to (racing against mostly guys from Midland)," Sims said. "It all depends on who the better man is that day. That's who wins. I'm just glad to be there."

Despite being teammates and cousins, Sims hasn't really seen McAfee run too much due to the senior's commitment to soccer. But he is looking forward to the opportunity to do so in today's finals.

"He's given me something to push for," Sims said. "I always want to try to do better than my cousin."

McAfee finished second in the 100 meters last season, but was bumped up to first when last year's district champ Cameron Meridyth was ruled ineligible for the regional meet. This year, McAfee is hoping to earn the title of district champ outright this time around.

"I've got a lot of confidence after (Thursday)," McAfee said. "After my first jump in the long jump, I started feeling pretty good and started thinking I had a chance out here."